Student Handbook

Student Grievance Procedures

De Anza College strives to treat all students fairly, but as in any complex organization, misunderstandings and even conflicts can arise from time to time. As a student, you have certain rights under the published rules and regulations of the district and the college, the state laws regarding education, and the federal affirmative action laws.

This procedure should not be used to address unlawful harassment or discrimination. If you feel that you may have been subjected to unlawful harassment or discrimination, please see the Sexual Harassment Policy page which outlines the policies and procedures to address your concerns.

If you feel that your student rights have been violated by the college—in one circumstance, or over a period of time in a series of events—you also have the right to try to resolve the problem. In most cases, problem situations turn out better if they’re attended to quickly and simply. That’s why De Anza’s trustees and student government set up the Student Grievance Procedures, which require a student to do just that. The complete Student Grievance Procedures follow this step-by-step summary. It’s a good idea to read them carefully if you decide to file a grievance.

Procedures:

Step 1.

You must try to solve the problem informally first. You and the other person(s) involved need to meet and try to solve the problem. You can ask for help from any De Anza community member. Give it your best shot.

Step 2.

If you have exhausted all other informal means to resolve the issue as listed in the student grievance procedures and you still aren’t satisfied, you can file a formal grievance. Upon the recommendation of the appropriate Dean or Administrator you can file a grievance form. You will need to provide the specific rule or law (Students Rights & Responsibilities) that you feel was violated, as well as all the details of the events(s). Provide copies of any pertinent documents. Don’t delay—to file a grievance you must be a current student or have been one within thirty days before filing, and you must have learned of the particular event or the latest of a series of events no more than 30 days before you file. (And regardless of when you learned of the events(s), if the alleged violation(s) happened more than a year in the past your grievance won’t be valid.)

Step 3.

Pick up a Student Grievance form from the Office of Student Development & E.O.P.& S or DASB Office, the Office of College Life or the Office of the Vice President of Student Services. You can receive assistance with completing the form from any faculty or staff member; or you can ask for help from the De Anza Student Body (DASB).

You can also download a copy here: Student Grievance Form as well as dowload a copy of the Foothill-De Anza District Student Grievance policy, AP 5530. The documents are in Portable Document Format . If Adobe Reader is not already installed on your computer, you will need to download and install it to view PDF files.

Step 4.

File your completed Student Grievance Form with the Office of Student Development & E.O.P.&S. Please do not return the completed Grievance form to any other office. You will receive acknowledgement of receipt of your grievance usually within two weeks from the time it is received. Your grievance will be forwarded to the Dean of Student Development & E.O.P. & S.

Step 5.

The Grievance Review Board will review your grievance and will decide if you met the standards for filing, and whether your grievance meets the basic standards of legitimacy for consideration. The office of Student Development & E.O.P. & S. will contact you if your grievance warrants a hearing. You will be contacted and a hearing will be scheduled.

Step 6.

The exact nature of the hearing differs from case to case, and is under the direction of the grievance officer. You—and the other person(s)—can have with you, or be represented by, any other person who is not an attorney. You can purchase (at cost) a copy of the official record of the hearing.

Step 7.

The Grievance Review Board will try to reach a decision within 30 days from the time of the hearing. They will decide on the outcome of your grievance what relief (if any) you should be granted. They will forward their recommendation to the Dean of Student Development & E.O.P. & S. You will be notified by the Dean, of the board’s recommendation.

Step 8.

The college president or his/her designee has the final decision regarding the outcome. If it is determined that violation of rights is a result of a district rule or some other reason beyond thecollege’s control, the president or his/her designee will recommend the appropriate action at a higher level, the chancellor and trustees.